These transcriptions follow the original texts almost word for word, but they observe present-day conventions in spelling, punctuation and capitalization. Where you see text in red, underlined, hovering your cursor on it (no click necessary) will pop up a brief explanation.

First Response—October 17

Magistrates:In answer to the petition of some of the inhabitants of Cambridge whose dwellings are on the extreme parts of their bounds towards … Concord:

This Court, having heard the allegations and pleas of both parties, [in addition] to which the consent of those that appeared in Court on behalf of the town, do order that the petitioners be licensed to erect for themselves a public meeting house and procure some able and orthodox minister to dispense the ordinances of God amongst them, and when so provided they are licensed to appoint for themselves a constable and to choose selectmen (3 or 5 annually) to order their own prudentially, and to exercise distinct from the town in a military way, and shall in all other respects be a distinct society, and not obliged to the town for duty or payments, save only towards the maintenance of their Great Bridge over Charles River, the grammar school, and the charge of the Deputies for the General Court. For the regulation and maintenance thereof, they shall continue and remain to the town in all respects as heretofore.

And it is ordered that the divisional line shall be six miles from Cambridge meeting house, measuring along the high road leading to Concord, and at the end of said six miles to be a straight line across the bounds of the town which cross-line is to run parallel with the now stated head line at the eight miles’ end of the said town’s bounds. The magistrates hand pass this, their brethren the deputies hereto consenting.

17 October, 1684 Edward Rawson, Secretary

Deputies:The Deputies consent hereto, provided the dividing line run as the committee have stated it in their return, and if the town of Cambridge consent not hereto, then they to provide an able (etc.) minister for the village within one year next after the date hereof, the honored Magistrates hereto consenting.

William Torrey, Clerk

Second Response—October 30

Magistrates:October 30th, 1684. Upon further Consideration, the Magistrates grant the petitioners to settle a village as within expressed, and that the dividing line be at the end of five miles and a half, as stated by the committee, for the space of seven years next hereafter to be completed; and that then, the seven years being expired, it is left to the determination of this Court, whether the dividing line shall so remain as the committee have set it; or to be at the six miles’ end according to the former vote of the Magistrates. Desiring the Consent of our Brethren the Deputies herewith.

Samuel Sewall per order.

Deputies:The deputies consent not hereto, but adhere to their former vote on the other side.

William Torrey, Clerk

This word is difficult to read, but the secretary absent-mindedly repeats the words “on the extreme parts of their bounds towards,” and in this crossed-out passage (indicated by the ellipse after towards) the word partes is clear.

This reading is conjectural, but the phrase these words introduce doesn't make much sense in 21st-century English without something being added. I believe that “to which” could have had this meaning in the 17th century.

‘manage what belongs to them prudently’

‘conduct military drills on their own’ — All towns were required to train adult male citizens for militia duty. The Farmers had had to travel to Cambridge for this purpose.

Since the Farmers were still citizens of Cambridge, they were represented by the same Deputies, and would have to pay a share of their expenses.